TOP-DRAWER BOWLING EARNS DRAW

Substitute Keeper
By Lors of The Chairs
July 30 2006

Lord of the Chairs reports on an exciting days cricket when all 4 results were possible and feelings were running high amongst one of the more Senior Turkeys.

All three results were possible going into the final day. 200 off 90+ overs was not going to be a challenging total for the visitors, however, and the first priority to was take time out of the game. Koenig would have been proud of the Knocker and J-Louw's early efforts. It took 25 minutes for the pair to swap ends, and when J-Louw was caught behind at noon the mathematicians were mooting three an over, up from two.

Cometh the Chad, cometh the swinging bat. Combined with some poor bowling from Thorp, the scorecard began to accelerate. Optimists started to discuss the best time to declare. Silverwood obviously thought straight away, as he lasted a mere 3 balls.

The chase was on - 273 off 68 overs, requiring 4.01470588235294 runs per over, give or take. We were treated to a superb 20 minute spell prior to lunch, with Silvers and Chad beating the bat several times, and with a good-looking lbw appeal refused each.

The opening bowling (particularly Siverwood's) was superb but luckless, but Styris finally managed to get the umpires hand out of his pocket. At 150-2, the game looked to be going Durham's way, but Jamie removed the danger men. Celebrations in the nursery end were not to everyone's liking, and at one stage it was looking like we would be treated to some OAP boxing, as the Seaxed Man (aka the Pinner Panther) continued to eye his nemesis (don't know his name, we'll call him the Senile Smasher).

Durham shut up shop early, and a couple of juggled catches gave Middx a glimpse at victory. Nashie went off with a hamstring injury, but Morgan proved to be a fine replacement. The umpires eyed the sky, but Gibson and Thorp were resolute. With two balls remaining and three wickets needed, the players shook hands.

7 pointers aren't going to keep us up, but the performance on Fri and Sat gave grounds for hope. Why can't we play like that for 4 days?